Baseball pitching machine

ABSTRACT

A portable manually operated collapsible baseball pitching machine having a centrifugally actuated ball throwing arm that is spring actuated, using a low force, long stroke concept with a vernier ball velocity and height control that is easily adjusted and regulated.

United States Patent Edward W. Kahelin 812 5th St., Manhattan Beach, Calif. 90266 704,435

Feb. 9, 1968 Jan. 5, 1971 inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented BASEBALL PIT CHING MACHINE 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

11.5. C1 124/7, 124/41, 124/36, 124/30 Int. Cl F4lb 3/04 Field olSearch 124/7, 8, 9, 36, 41, 30

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,406,674 10/1968 Zone 124/7 F ORElGN PATENTS 79,082 11/1919 Germany 124/7 383,408 11/1923 Gennany 124/7 816,821 11/1951 Germany 124/7 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-William R. Browne Attorney-Robert 0. Richardson ABSTRACT: A portable manually operated collapsible baseball pitching machine having a centrifugally actuated ball throwing arm that is spring actuated, using a low force, long stroke concept with a Vernier ball velocity and height control that is easily adjusted and regulated.

PATENTEU JAN 5 |97| sum 2 0F 2 INVENTOR.

Men W BY W,

BASEBALL PITCI-IING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Baseball teams have long needed, and used, baseball pitching machines to provide practice-for the batters without the necessity of using human pitchers. Such machines are particularly helpful in teaching younger players proper timing, swing, stance and other rudiments of batting without depending upon an inconsistent pitching staff that often cannot effectively control the pitches to suit the batting coach. The use of such man machines is also helpful to the batter in that he must watch the ball in regulating his time of swing of the bat. Too often, and to his detriment, a batter will watch the arms, legs or position of the pitcher and time his swing accordingly. Hence, he will tend to swing his bat at the same time for a fast ball, slow ball, or a normally pitched ball. Thus, he is apt to swing too soon or too late and will miss the ball.

Many ball pitching machines are automatic and with the use of motors will hurl a number of balls over the batting plate at times not controllable by the batting coach. Usually they hurl the balls at a uniform velocity and the pitched balls pass over the same strike area over the plate. The nature of these machines does not readily lend itself for adjustment of individual pitches.

In particular, there is a need for a light weight, compact, portable pitching machine for teaching boys in the 8 to 13 year category, popularly known as Little Leaguers, because they must rely upon temporary, and usually borrowed practice and playing facilities. Installation of permanent nonportable equipment is not economically feasible.

The portable pitching machines have a stability problem. With a short stroke-high velocity concept, they must be firmly anchored in order to hurl the ball as desired. The jolt from the previous pitch makes accuracy difficult for subsequent pitches. The sturdiness of construction required to overcome this problem makes the portability and collapsibility of the machine an even more difficult problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The baseball pitching machine comprising the present invention embraces a low force-long stroke concept which keeps static structural loads and dynamic loads to a minimum. This permits the machine to have a static device design rather than that of a high impact, shock absorbing device. This permits the use of light weight, low cost parts, permitting it to be portable and collapsible. The moving parts such as bearings, shaft, spring, pulley and cable may therefore be designed for se safety and long life, making the machine extremely durable and maintenance free.

Briefly, the present invention utilizes a centrifugally actuated ball throwing arm that is spring actuated. A novel low force-long stroke concept is used to control the velocity and height of the ball over the plate. This is done by controlling the stroke, not the hurling force which is much less controllable. A vernier control permits the velocity and height of the ball over the plate to be accurately adjusted between pitches when desired. The collapsing arrangement and geometry does not change or affect any calibration adjustments.

The machine consists of a folding tubular steel tripod assembly which supports the operating mechanisms. A small shaft mounted on bearings supports the lever or pitching arm. The lever am is attached perpendicular to the shaft with the shaft forming the fulcrum or pivot. At the longer end of the lever arm is mounted an adjustable ball retainer. At the opposite end are several cable mounting positions. The attached a cable is in turn fastened to a taut spring, via a pulley. In the cocked position, the ball retaining lever arm is held fixed with an adjustable trigger mechanism.

From a collapsed flattened package for easy transporting, the machine unfolds and sits on three legs. A ball pitching lever arm is pivotally mounted to a main frame and is spring urged into its followthrough position after the ball has been hurled. The pitching lever arm is cocked rearwardly and is held in this post position by an adjustable trigger which is manually releasable in making a pitch. The trigger adjustment controls ball height to a fine degree. The ball retainer on the arm is adjustable to regulate the point on the arc that centrifugal force causes the ball to leave the lever arm. This adjusts the gross position of the ball over the plate. The tension on the spring is readily adjustable to establish the velocity of the lever arm and thus the ball in flight. When unfolded the machine is about 3 feet high, 2% feet wide, 5 feet long and weighs less than 35 pounds. It may be folded to a 6 inch width for easy transportation to and from a practice field.

For a more complete description and understanding of the invention reference is now made to the drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the machine in cocked position,

FIG. 2 is a plan view,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of the ball retainer,

FIG. 4 is a side view of the machine after hurling the ball,

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the adjustable trigger release, and

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the trigger release in engagement with the pitching arm.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 and-2 there is shown a main frame including a U-shaped forward leg 10, extending upwardly and rearwardly, a U-shaped trigger-support frame 12 extending forwardly and upwardly to be joined to the top of leg 10 by brackets 14 connecting both-sets of legs. A rear vertical support I6 extends from the rear end of support frame I2 to the ground. A lower brace 18 extends from the lower end of leg 10 to the rear vertical support i6 at a point raised from the bottom. By thus raising it, the raised portion 20 of the ground will not interfere. Transverse braces 22 extend diagonally from the lower end of leg 10 to the rear end of frame 12. Forward foot 24 on the bottom of leg 10 and rear foot 26 on the bottom of support 16 is adapted to be pressed into the ground.

A collapsible support frame to complete the tripod configuration consists of upper rear and forward struts 28, 30 and lower rear and forward struts 32, 34. Upper rear strut 28 is pivotally affixed to bracket 36 near the rear end of frame 12 and upper forward strut 30 is pivotally mounted on bracket 38 at the forward end of frame 12. Lower rear strut 32 is pivotally mounted near the rear of lower brace 18 and lower forward strut 34 is pivotally mounted to bracket 40 affixed to the lower end of leg 10. The right foot 42, also adapted to be pressed into the ground, is connected to the ends of rear struts 28, 32 and the three components are adapted to swing inwardly as shown by arrows 44, 46 when the machine is folded for trans portation. Forward struts 30, 34 also fold inwardly as shown by arrows 48, 50 when the machine is folded. A single screw 52 and wind nut 54 connects the struts when in unfolded position and ready for use. Its removal permits the struts to fold inwardly for transportation.

The Pitching arm 56 is pivotally mounted on brackets 14 through axle 58. This arm has an extended lever 60 extending from the other side of axle 58. Extending downwardly at right angles to the pitching arm 56 and lever 60 is an energy booster arm 62 which assists in the pitching operation which is powered by a tension spring 64. This spring is attached at one end to bracket 40 on leg 10. The other end is fastened to cable 66 which loops over pulley 68 which is mounted to a bracket 70 attached to the rear end of trigger support frame 12. From pulley 68 the cable 66 exterr'ss forwardly to the energy booster support arm 62 and terminates on lever arm 60. Both arms 60 and 62 have a plurality of apertures 72, 74 to adjust the posi tion of the cable on these arms from pivot point 58. Clip 76 on booster arm 62 may be fastened in a selected aperture 74 and has a curved groove around which cable 66 is positioned. A spring tether 78 passes through spring 64 and is fastened on support 16 and'bracket 40 on forward leg 10. This-tether i s-a safety device, in the event spring 64 breaks,.to prevent injury.

Mounted on trigger support frame 12. is an. adjustable trigger assembly 80 which holds pitching arm 56 in cocked position, as shown in FIG. 1. In this position the height of the ball holder 82 above the ground may be adjusted in order to give a vernier adjustment to the height of the ball as it passes over home plate. This is done by turning crank 84 to adjust the height of the trigger 86 which overlies retainer clip 88 mounted on the pitching arm 56. The trigger assembly 80 includes a mounting bracket 90 fastenedto support frame 12. As will be explained hereinafter in greater detail, triggerhandie 92 is pivotallymounted thereon to pivor. the. trigger 86 from its position overlying retainer clip 88 and thus free the pitching arm 56 to pivot forwardly under the influence of the tension spring 64.

The ball holder 82 cradles the ball'94 between a thumb 96, and two fingers 98 at the end of pitchingarm 5.6. These'fingers are spaced apart at their points of'con'tactiwitli the'b'all94 in order to provide a tripod with thumb96 upon which the ball 94 may rest when the pitching arm is in cock'edposition;

FIG. 3 shows one form of ball holder 82' in' which thumb 96.-

connecting bar 110, flanges 112 and fingers 98 The adjusting plates 106 are pivotally mounted on opposite sides of pitching arm 56 by bolt 114. These plates have a plurality ofapertures' 116, one of which may be selected for the insertion of another bolt 118 to fasten the plates 106 to the pitching arm 56in a nonrotatable manner. Ribs 108 are spaced apart the thickness of the pitching arm tubing and are connected. at their outer end by connecting bar 110. Flanges 112 extend outwardly from each other to provide the proper spacing between the fingers 98. A spacing of about 1.50 inches between the fingers ,is adequate. The fingers are at an incline to give the ball a reverse spin when, during the pitch, the centrifugalforce ex.- ceeds the tangential force and the ball leaves the ball holder and is hurled over the strike zone of the home: plate. The adjustment of the angle of the fingers relative'to the pitching arm also provides a gross adjustment of height over the plate for a given setting of the cable 66 on the energy booster arm 62 and the lever arm 60. I

The view in FIG. 4 resembles that of FIG. 1 except that an intermediate and final position 56A and 56B-of the pitching arm 56 is shown in the hurling of the ball94. Note that no sudden stop occurs. As lever arm 60 rotates above-pivot point 58, the cable 66 is in a position shown by dotted line 568 and spring 64 operates to decellerate the swing. The final position 568 is also its position in starting the pitching operation.

In the starting position the lever arm 56 is ina position with the ball holder end of the lever arm 56 pointing to the batter. While standing at the left of the machine (viewed from behind the machine looking toward the batter) the lever arm 56 is grasped with the left hand and pulled back and latched to the trigger assembly 80. Because of the mechanical advantage of the pitching arm only a very small force is needed to place it in cocked position. In' this cocked position a ball 94-is placed. in the ball holder 82. When the ball is readyto be thrown, the trigger 92 is actuated. When the trigger releases the lever arm 56. the spring force propels the lever arm and ball forward.

The angle of the ball holder fingers 98 is adjustable such that the ball is released at the proper time. Release occurs at'the time in which the centrifugal force exceeds the tangential force between ball retainer and ball. Finer vernier control of the trajectory of the ball is controlled by adjustment of trigger Thismachi'ne'is relatively'insensitive to the mass of the ball.

Considerable variation in ball weight occurs due principally to unavoidable moisture absorption; These weight variations do not affect the basic accuracy of the machine'and permits use of any number of balls during a given practice. Simple adjustments are' provided which allow the machine to be randomly placed near the pitcher's mound on any playing field', un-

folded, and placed into'operation with one'or two'calibrat'ion throws. The velocity adjustment allows the machine to be adjusted to a speed commensurate' with the batter's age and ability. On'ceadjusted it will consistently throw pitches at the same velocity. and overthe same area of the strike zone. For H;

example;.suppose-a batter desired practice hitting low slow balls. To set the machine for thistype of pitch the cable 66 is fastened in the aperture 72'on lever arm 60 that is closest to the fulcrum, i.e., pivot 58. Bracket 76' is also fastened to the aperture 74 in energy-booster arm 62 that also is closest to I pivot 58. Fingers 9.8 are tilted back relative to pitching arm 56.. When trigger handle 92 is actuated the ball is hurled over home plate at some height. Thereafter crank 84 is rotated to raise or lower the cocked position of the pitching arm 56 and thus adjust the height of the ball over the-plate. Now, suppose a high fast ball is desired. This is accomplished by moving the.

FIG. 5 shows the trigger assembly in elevation'with mounting bracket fastened to support frame 12. A torque tube is connected to bracket 90 by means of hinges 122. Bracketl24 is welded to the top of torque tube 120 and has an aperture therein large enough to receive an adjustingscrew 126. The aperture isn ot threaded and upon rotation the screw 126 does not move up and down. Welded to the bottom of the tube is-the trigger handle. 92. It also has an unthreaded aperture-in which is positioned the screw 126. A pair of nuts 128, 130 on opposed sides of theaperture maintain the screw in rotatable position without vertical movement in these apertures in bracket l24'and trigger handle 92. Pins 132, 134 in the nuts 128, 13 0 lock the nuts with the screw 126. Trigger 86 is a plate mounted on a nut 136. This plate has a cutout portion in order to extend on both sides of the torque tube 120 so that it may move vertically, as screw 126rotates, without itself turning. Cranki 84 is used for turning screw l26'to raise and lower trigger 86.

As shown in the plan view in FIG. 6, an inwardly directed retainer clip 88 is attached to pitching arm 56 and when the arm56 is drawn back to the cocked position it may be held by trigger 86. This is done automatically because the retainer clip 88is atan angle creating a latch effect, moving handle 92 to its dashed line position. When the clip 88 has passed the trigger; spring 89 returns the'handle v92 to its, original position. Upon'return-of handle 92.to its original position the trigger 86 isin the path of the upward swing of retainer clip 88 and the pitching arm is then in its cocked position. After placing a ball 94in the ball holder 82' the machineis ready to make a pitch; To do this in the best suitable manner, the operator simply stands to' the left of the machine when facing a batter. The operator their places his right hand on the left leg of frame 12 and his right foot on-lowe'r bracel8 rearwardly of its connection with lowerrear strut 32. Then with the .right hand .the operator moves trigger handle 92 to'diser'igage trigger 86 from retainer clip 88. Spring 64then rotates the pitching arm 56 and the ballis hurled over. the plate. Each successi'vepitch will be the same in velocity. and elevation over the strike zone until a new adjustment is desired either in velocity or elevationor both.

From the foregoing description other modifications will occur to those skilled in the art and it is to be understood that these variations are to be considered as part of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

l claim:

1. A baseball pitching machine comprising a tripod frame:

a pitching arm pivotally mounted on said frame, said arm having ball holder means thereon for releasably retaining a ball; power means for swinging said arm and thus hurling a ball; adjustable means regulating the velocity and height of said ball in flight; and said power means consisting of a spring having a cable attached thereto, said cable being connected to a lever arm extension of said pitching arm, an energy booster arm connected to said lever arm and extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis thereof, means on said booster arm for guiding that portion of said cable intermediate said spring and the connection of said cable to said lever arm.

2. A baseball pitching machine as in claim 1 wherein said cable may be connected to said lever arm at selected points thereon, said means on said booster'arm guiding said cable at various selected points on thebooster arm to adjust the velocity imparted to said pitching arm by said spring.

3. A baseball machine as' set forth in claim 1 wherein said frame is collapsible and made portable upon removal of a single fastening device.

4. A baseball pitching machine comprising a tripod'frame: a pitching arm pivotally mounted on said frame, said arm a having ball holder means thereon for releasably retaining a ball;

power means for swinging said arm and thus hurling said ball;

adjustable means regulating the velocity and height of a ball in flight; i 1

said adjustable means including a trigger assembly for releasably retaining said pitching arm in cocked position;

said trigger assembly being adjustable to vary the height of said pitching arm when in said cocked position to thus select a desired height of a ball when in flight; and

said trigger assembly comprising a trigger means having a portion positioned to engage means on said pitching am to latch the pitching arm in cocked condition, a screw means to raise and lower the trigger means, and said trigger means being manually movable to disengage said means on said pitching arm to release said pitching arm from its cocked condition. 

1. A baseball pitching machine comprising a tripod frame: a pitching arm pivotally mounted on said frame, said arm having ball holder means thereon for releasably retaining a ball; power means for swinging said arm and thus hurling a ball; adjustable means regulating the velocity and height of said ball in flight; and said power means consisting of a spring having a cable attached thereto, said cable being connected to a lever arm extension of said pitching arm, an energy booster arm connected to said lever arm and extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis thereof, means on said booster arm for guiding that portion of said cable intermediate said spring and the connection of said cable to said lever arm.
 2. A baseball pitching machine as in claim 1 wherein said cable may be connected to said lever arm at selected points thereon, said means on said booster arm guiding said cable at various selected points on the booster arm to adjust the velocity imparted to said pitching arm by said spring.
 3. A baseball machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said frame is collapsible and made portable upon removal of a single fastening device.
 4. A baseball pitching machine comprising a tripod frame: a pitching arm pivotally mounted on said frame, said arm a having ball holder means thereon for releasably retaining a ball; power means for swinging said arm and thus hurling said ball; adjustable means regulating the velocity and height of a ball in flight; said adjustable means including a trigger assembly for releasably retaining said pitching arm in cocked position; said trigger assembly being adjustable to vary the height of said pitching arm when in said cocked position to thus select a desired height of a ball when in flight; and said trigger assembly comprising a trigger means having a portion positioned to engage means on said pitching arm to latch the pitching arm in cocked condition, a screw means to raise and lower the trigger means, and said trigger means being manually movable to dIsengage said means on said pitching arm to release said pitching arm from its cocked condition. 